Impact de la pandémie de COVID-19 sur le suivi des maladies systémiques: enquête transversale multicentrique à Dakar / How the outbreak of COVID-19 did affected the follow-up of patients known for an autoimmune or autoinflammatory systemic diseases in Dakar

Introduction : La pandémie de covid-19 a eu un impact sur les systèmes de santé, entravant la prise en charge optimale des maladies chroniques. L'objectif de notre étude était d'évaluer son impact sur le suivi des pathologies systémiques. Patients - Méthodes : Nous avons mené une enquête transversale multicentrique dans les services de Médecine Interne, de Rhumatologie et de Néphrologie à Dakar. Les patients étaient inclus en accord avec les critères de consensus internationaux. L'enquête a porté sur les dossiers concernant 13 questions et a été complétée par un entretien téléphonique avec 38 questions potentielles. Les réponses étaient collectées grâce à une application Web puis exportées et analysées avec le logiciel SPSS 26.0. Résultats : Du 1er Août au 31 Octobre 2021, 131 patients ont été inclus avec un âge moyen de 41,5 ans (+/-12,4) et un sex-ratio de 0,08. Les pathologies inflammatoires étaient dominées par la polyarthrite rhumatoïde (47,3%) et le lupus systémique (22,9%). Les patients ont rapporté avoir raté un ou plusieurs rendez-vous de suivi dans 45% des cas. Les motifs étaient dominés par une difficulté d'obtenir un rendez-vous de suivi (18,6%) et la peur de fréquenter les hôpitaux (16,9%). Une rupture médicamenteuse a été notée dans 33,6% des cas et concernait notamment l'hydroxychloroquine (40,9%) ou le méthotrexate (47,7%) avec comme raison principale les ruptures de stock en pharmacie et les difficultés économiques. Une poussée de la maladie systémique a été rapportée dans 31% des cas corrélée à la rupture médicamenteuse. Onze (11) patients ont présenté une infection confirmée à SARS CoV-2. Conclusion : La pandémie de covid-19 a eu un impact non négligeable sur le suivi des patients atteints de maladies inflammatoires systémiques. Elle a mis en exergue l'intérêt de la réorganisation de la prise en charge de ces patients en période de crise sanitaire, l'éducation thérapeutique des patients et le recours à la télémédecine pour assurer la continuité des soins.

Introduction: The covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on health systems, compromising the optimal management of chronic diseases such as systemic autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. The aim of our study was to assess its impact on the follow-up of systemic diseases in Dakar. Patients - Methods: We conducted a multicentre cross-sectional survey in the departments of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology and Nephrology in Dakar. Patients were included in accordance with international consensus criteria. The survey was based on records of 13 questions and was completed by a telephone interview with 38 potential questions. Responses were collected using a web-based application and then exported and analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software. Results: From 1 August to 31 October, 131 patients were included with a mean age of 41.5 years (+/-12.4) and a sex-ratio of 0.08. Inflammatory diseases were dominated by rheumatoid arthritis (47.3%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (22.9%). Patients reported missing one or more follow-up appointments in 45% of the cases. The reasons were dominated by difficulty in obtaining a follow-up appointment (18.6%) and fear of attending hospitals (16.9%). A drug shortage was also reported in 33.6% of the cases and concerned in particular hydroxychloroquine (40.9%) or methotrexate (47.7%), with the main reason being stock shortages in pharmacies and economic difficulties. A flare-up of the systemic disease was reported in 31% of the cases correlated with the drug rupture. Only 11 patients had a confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection. Conclusion: The covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the follow-up of patients with systemic inflammatory diseases. It highlighted the interest of reorganizing the follow-up of these patients during a health crisis, the patient education and the use of telemedicine to ensure continuity of care

COVID-19 et maladies auto-immunes dans un centre de traitement des épidémies à Dakar / COVID 19 and autoimmune diseases in an outbreak treatment center in Dakar

Introduction : Les patients présentant une affection systémique ont un risque accru d'infections. Leur prise en charge au cours de la pandémie au COVID19 constitue un défi qui doit prendre en considération plusieurs aspects. Nous rapportons les caractéristiques épidémiologiques, cliniques, et évolutives des patients COVID positifs suivis pour une maladie auto-immune (MAI). Patients et méthode : étude rétrospective, descriptive et analytique menée au centre de traitement des épidémies du centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU) Le Dantec de Dakar durant les périodes du 30 Avril au 30 Octobre 2020 puis du 30 Décembre 2020 au 30 Avril 2021. Etaient inclus tous les dossiers des patients suivis pour une maladie systémique hospitalisés pour COVID-19 confirmée à la RT-PCR. Résultats : treize patients étaient inclus dans l'étude, composés de 8 femmes et de 5 hommes. L'âge moyen était de 59 ans [16 à 74 ans]. Il s'agissait de 8 cas de maladies auto-immunes systémiques (MAIS) : polyarthrite rhumatoïde (n=3 ; 37,5%), Sjögren primitif (n=2 ; 25%), lupus systémique, dermatomyosite, arthrite à cellules géantes chacun 1 cas (12,5%) et 5 cas de maladies auto-immunes spécifiques d'organes (MASO) : maladie de Basedow (n=1 ; 20% de MASO), thyroïdite de Hashimoto (n=1 ; 20%), myasthénie (n=1 ; 20%), diabète de type 1 (n=1 ; 20%) et maladie de Biermer (n=1 ; 20%). Les formes cliniques étaient modérées (6 cas ; 46,1%), sévères (2cas ; 15,4%) et critiques (2cas ; 15,4%). Huit patients (8/13) avaient au moins une comorbidité associée. Deux décès (2/13) étaient notés. Conclusion : il n'a pas été trouvé une augmentation des complications sévères dues au COVID-19 chez les patients suivis pour une maladie auto-immune. Leur pronostic n'est pas différent de celui de la population générale.

Macrophage activation syndrome, a rare complication of primary Sjögren's syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The association of macrophage activation syndrome and primary Sjögren's syndrome has been rarely reported in the literature. We report the first observation of this association in Africa, south of the Sahara, and we discuss the diagnosis and therapeutic challenge. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old Mauritanian and Berber woman was followed for primary Sjögren's syndrome. After a voluntary cessation of her usual background treatment, she was admitted to our department for an outbreak of her illness. A clinical examination revealed anemic syndrome, peripheral polyarthritis, coughing rales at both pulmonary bases, and fever at 39.5 °C. On biologic examination, there was bicytopenia with anemia at 5.70 g/dl, lymphopenia at 796/mm3, a biological inflammatory syndrome with a sedimentation rate at 137 mm in the first hour, C-reactive protein at 97 mg/l, hyperferritinemia at 1778 mg/l (9 normal value), and hypergammaglobulinemia at 20.7 g/l of polyclonal appearance. The triglycerides were 1.95 g/l (1.4 normal value) and the lactate dehydrogenase level was 491 IU/l (1.5 normal value). Cytological examination of a medullary puncture revealed an image of hemophagocytosis. An infectious screening was negative. Thoracic computed tomography showed non-specific interstitial lung disease. A diagnosis of macrophage activation syndrome complicating primary Sjögren's syndrome was selected with a probability of 97.2%, according to H-Score. The evolution was favorable under a treatment including etoposide (VP-16). CONCLUSION: Macrophage activation syndrome is a rare entity, rarely reported during primary Sjögren's syndrome. Its spontaneous evolution is invariably fatal. There is no consensus on therapeutic treatment. Etoposide is a therapeutic option especially in forms refractory to corticosteroid therapy.

Sarcoïdose systémique du sujet âgé et amylose : complication ou association fortuite ? A propos d'une observation

Introduction : La sarcoïdose est une granulomatose systémique de cause inconnue. Son association avec une amylose a été exceptionnellement décrite. Nous en rapportons une observation association.Observation : Une patiente âgée de 68 ans était admise dans notre service pour exploration de troubles psycho-comportementaux associés à une macro-polyadénopathie. Le diagnostic d'une sarcoïdose à localisation médiastino-ganglionnaire, cutanée et neurologique était retenu. La biopsie des salivaires accessoires mettait en évidence des dépôts amyloïdes. Le bilan de retentissement de l'amylose objectivait une altération de la fonction rénale et uneprotéinurie à 2,36 g/24H. La corticothérapie associée à l'hydroxy-chloroquine a été instituée. L'évolution était favorable. Conclusion : Cette observation illustre l'intérêt de la recherche systématique d'une amylose au cours de la sarcoïdose. La biopsie des glandes salivaires accessoires est de par son innocuité, la technique de référence dans l'amylose systémique du sujet âgé

Socio-demographic and clinical profile of chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics in sub-Saharan African elderly.

Data on characteristics of neuropathic pain (NP) in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce, especially in the elderly. We conducted this study to appreciate the socio-demographic and clinical profile of chronic pain (CP) with neuropathic characteristics in sub-Saharan African elderly with musculoskeletal pain. From January to December 2011, we performed a cross-sectional study in all Rheumatology outpatients over 60 years at the Center for Gerontology and Geriatrics, Dakar, Senegal. In this study, we included patients who experienced musculoskeletal pain for 3 months or longer (CP) and with a DN4 score ≥ 4 (NP). A complete clinical examination was performed to make the diagnosis of NP 'definite' or 'probable', and to identify the aetiologies of NP. During the study period, 698 outpatients were examined. There were 394 out of the 549 patients over 60 years who reported CP. Among them, 28 patients (7.1%) scored ≥4 on the DN4 questionnaire. Female patients, low educational attainment, manual professions, non-workers and diabetes were associated with NP (p < 0.05). The symptoms described by patients with NP, often intricate, were lumboradiculalgia (n = 9), cervico-brachial neuralgia (n = 3), polyneuropathy (n = 12) and mononeuropathy (n = 6). The presumed aetiologies in patients with NP were: chronic spine diseases (n = 14), painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (n = 8), Sjögren's syndrome (n = 1), tarsal tunnel syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis (n = 1) and bone metastasis (n = 1). No aetiology was identified among three patients. Chronic spine diseases associated with radiculopathies and diabetic neuropathy are the main causes of NP, well detected by DN4 questionnaire and clinical examination in Senegalese sub-Saharan African elderly.

[Amyloidosis in sub-Saharan Africa]. / Les amyloses en Afrique subsaharienne.

Amyloidosis is a protein folding disorder in which normally soluble proteins are deposited extracellularly as insoluble fibrils. When stained with Congo red dye, it produces apple-green birefringence under polarized light. The main amyloid proteins are AL, AA, ATTR and Aß(2)-M. The incidence of amyloidosis in sub-Saharan Africa ranges from 0.28 to 0.57% in autopsy series. Secondary AA amyloidosis is the most frequent, found in 42 to 66% of amyloidoses. Chronic infections, especially tuberculosis, are the main cause. AL amyloidosis is found in 21 to 34% of amyloidosis cases, half of them due to myeloma. Other types of amyloidosis seem rare, but are probably underdiagnosed. The clinical presentation in sub-Saharan Africa is similar to that in Western series. Further experimental and clinical studies will allow a better assessment of the characteristics of amyloidosis in sub-Saharan Africa.

[Disease-modifying treatment for inflammatory rheumatism in sub-Saharan Africa: outcome at 6 months of 205 Senegalese patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Problématique du traitement de fond des rhumatismes inflammatoires en Afrique subsaharienne: évolution à six mois de 205 patients sénégalais atteints de polyarthrite rhumatoïde.

RATIONALE: Few data are available on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in sub-Saharan Africa, where the diagnosis is often substantially delayed. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are more effective when started early. Biotherapies are not available. Given the socioeconomic constraints in sub-Saharan Africa, treatments must be selected based on locally available resources. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes 6 months after initiation of conventional DMARDs in Senegalese patients with RA. METHODS: We retrospectively studied consecutive RA patients seen at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the Le Dantec Teaching Hospital, Dakar, Senegal, from January 2005 through June 2009. All patients met the ACR criteria for RA. ACR and EULAR response criteria were evaluated 6 months after treatment initiation. RESULTS: The study included 205 patients. Corticosteroids were used in 205 patients, hydroxychloroquine in 190, methotrexate in 137, and sulfasalazine in 11. Combined corticosteroid, methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine therapy was used in 122 patients and combined corticosteroid and hydroxychloroquine therapy in 63. DMARD treatment was interrupted for at least 5 days per month for 26% of the patients, either because the drugs were out of stock at the local pharmacies and/or because the patients could not afford to purchase them. During the first 6 months of treatment, patients had a mean of 4 clinic visits, and 48% of patients missed at least one scheduled visit. After 6 months, all clinical variables had improved significantly, except the swollen joint count. The ACR20, 50, and 70 response criteria were met in 50%, 31%, and 6.9% of patients, respectively. The EULAR response was good in 53.9% of patients, moderate in 12.7%, and poor in 23.1%. DMARD therapy failed in 10.3% of patients. Half the patients had their treatment modified during the 6-month study period. DMARD therapy was discontinued in 10 patients for the following reasons: plans to become pregnant, n = 5; pregnancy during treatment, n = 2; and tuberculosis, n = 3. CONCLUSION: In Senegal, the treatment of RA relies chiefly on variable combinations of methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and corticosteroids. The six-month outcomes are satisfactory. Biotherapy is required in 7% to 10% of patients, a rate that could be decreased by optimizing patient follow-up. The management of chronic inflammatory joint disease couple be improved despite the limited financial resources in sub-Saharan Africa with better physician training and the incorporation of osteoarticular diseases within a vast information and education program for the general population.

[Seroprevalence of HBsAgs in patients with rheumatoid arthiritis in a hospital setting in Senegal]. / Séroprévalence de l'antigène HBs au cours de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde en milieu hospitalier Sénégalais.

PURPOSE: Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common chronic inflammatory joint disease in adults. In Senegal, where biotherapy is unavailable, treatment of RA relies on a combination of glucocorticoids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD). Since DMARD, particularly methotrexate, induce hepatotoxicity pretreatment assays of serum transaminase and albumin levels, as well as serological tests for the hepatitis B and C viruses is recommended. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in Africa, particularly in Senegal. The purpose of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) for HBV in 258 patients with RA in Senegal as a basis for defining the least hepatotoxic DMARD for these patients and ensuring the most suitable monitoring. METHOD: This retrospective study was based on a review of the medical records of patients examined between January 2005 and December 2009 at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the Aristide Le Dantec Teaching Hospital in Dakar, Senegal. All patients met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA. RESULTS: A total of 258 patients were tested for HBsAg. Tests were positive in 6 for a seroprevalence of 2.3%. All 6 positive patients were women with a mean age of 48.7 years (range, 16-79 years). Transaminase levels were normal in 5 patients. In the remaining patient, ASAT level elevation were twice normal and ALAT was normal. No patients had clinical evidence of liver disease. CONCLUSION: HBsAg seroprevalence in our population of patients with RA was lower than in the general population of Senegal: 2.3% versus 15%-18%. No evidence indicated that HBVinfection produced specific features in patients with RA. Based on these findings, widespread use of methotrexate in optimal dosages appears safe in patients with RA in Senegal. Treatment should be accompanied by careful attention to HBV prevention.

[Systemic vasculitis: study of 27 cases in Senegal]. / Vascularites systémiques: 27 observations au Sénégal.

Studies on vasculitis in black Africa are rare. The purpose of this report is to describe a retrospective study of systemic vasculitis managed in the internal medicine, ORL and cardiolology departments of the Aristide le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar, Senegal from 1995 to 2007. A series of 27 cases involving 7 men and 20 women with a mean age of 49 years was compiled. Primary vasculitis included Horton disease in 3 cases, Wegener disease in 2, Takayasu disease in 1, and Buerger disease in 1. Secondary vasculitis included mixed cryoglobulinemia with Gougerot Sjögren syndrome in 7 cases, primary Goujeröt syndrome in 4, rheumatoid arthritis in 3, nodosa periarteritis with hepatitis B in 2, SHARP syndrome in 1, and polymyositis in 1. The remaining two cases involved abdominal periaortitis including one associated with retrosperitoneal fibrosis and tuberculosis and the other with spondylarthropathy. Corticotherapy in combination with anticoagulants, immunosuppressive therapy, and surgery, when necessary, allowed effective management in 24 cases. The findings of this study show that systemic vasculitis can have numerous etiologies and indicate that secondary forms are the most common. Appropriate care modalities are needed to prevent severe outcome in Senegalese hospitals.

[Contribution of coloscopy to diagnosis of rectal bleeding in Dakar (Senegal)]. / Apport de la coloscopie dans le diagnostic des rectorragies à Dakar (Sénégal).

INTRODUCTION: Rectal bleeding is a common reason for seeking medical attention and can lead to diagnosis of serious disease. The purpose of this report is to describe lesions discovered by coloscopy in patients assessed for rectal bleeding in Dakar, Senegal. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out from January 2006 to December 2008 at the Aristide Le Dantec University Medical Center in Dakar. Coloscopy reports involving patients presenting with rectal bleeding were compiled. Age, quality of preparation, use of sedation, and lesions observed were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients underwent coloscopy for rectal bleeding. Mean patient age was 51.3 years (range, 2 to 85 years) and the sex ratio was 1.7 (90 men). Preparation was considered as good in 55.5% of cases. Sedatives were used in 57% of cases. Coloscopy findings were normal in 9.8% of cases. The most common lesions were hemorrhoids (53.14%), rectocolitis (17.5%), cancer (11.9%), polyps (11.2%), and diverticulosis (11.2%). Multiple lesions were found in 20 patients (14%). CONCLUSION: Coloscopy for assessment of rectal bleeding in Dakar revealed a range of lesions with hemorrhoids and rectocolitis accounting for most.

[Tuberculosis and systemic diseases: study of 8 Senegalese cases]. / Tuberculose et maladies systémiques: Etude de 8 cas sénégalais.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study (2000-2007) of the tuberculosis observations during systemic diseases was conducted in the service of Internal Medicine of hospital Aristide Le Dantec of Dakar. RESULTS: 8 (4 men and 4 women) has been received. The mean age was 54.5 years. The localization of tuberculosis was lung (n=8) with pleurisy (n=2), ganglionic (n=1), vertebral (n=1) and an abscess of the psoas (n=1). The diagnosis of tuberculosis had been carried with the bacteriological analysis of the expectorations (n=7), the histology (n=1). The systemic diseases was: rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome (n=3), primary Sjögren's syndrome (n=4), autoimmune thrombopenia (n=1). The diagnosis of systemic diseases was previous to that of tuberculosis in 7 cases and concomitant in 1 cases. Under chemotherapy and corticosteroid therapy, the evolution was favorable in 6 patients. CONCLUSION: our study confirms the frequently character spread by the tuberculosis in patients affected by systemic diseases. This association enhances diagnostic and therapeutic problems.

Profil etiologique des adenopathies cervicales en medecine interne : etude de 66 observations

Les adenopathies cervicales sont un motif frequent d'hospitalisation en Medecine Interne. Elles peuvent etre le temoin d'une affection severe necessitant un diagnostic precoce. Nous avons etudie les aspects cliniques et l'apport diagnostique des examens paracliniques en particulier de la biopsie ganglionnaire au cours des adenopathies cervicales en Medecine Interne au Senegal. Il s'agissait d'une etude retrospective sur une periode de cinq ans et huit mois allant du 1er janvier 2000 au 20 a out 2006 dans le service de Medecine Interne de l'hopital Aristide Le Dantec de Dakar. Soixante six dossiers sur les 8610 dossiers de patients hospitalises ont ete colliges. Un questionnaire structure avait permis de recueillir les caracteristiques sociodemographiques; cliniques et paracliniques. Les adenopathies cervicales etaient retrouvees chez 37 hommes (57) et 29 femmes (44); soit un sex-ratio de 1;2. L'age moyen etait de 34 ans avec des extremes de 15 et 73 ans. La region cervicale laterale etait le site privilegie des adenopathies; suivie du cercle peri-cervical et de la region cervicale anterieure. Trente six patients presentaient des adenopathies superficielles d'autres localisations : axillaire (39); inguinale (32) et epitrochleenne (1;5). Les etiologies d'adenopathies cervicales comportaient aussi bien la tuberculose; principale cause en milieu tropical; les lymphomes tres souvent responsables demacro- adenopathies; que certains cas anecdotiques comme le syndrome de Rosai Dorfman Destombes

[Nephrotic syndrom with focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis in Dakar: epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics (about 134 cases)]. / Le syndrome néphrotique avec hyalinose segmentaire et focale a Dakar: aspects épidémiologiques et anatomocliniques (a propos de 134 cas).

Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is common and non-specific patterns of glomerular injury encountered in human renal biopsies. Cortico-resistant nephrotic syndrome is the main manifestation. We report epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of FSGS in Dakar. We report the results of a retrospective study about focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) identified from 258 kidney biopsies performed in the medical clinic 1 of A. Le Dantec hospital from January 1993 to December 2003. FSG is found in 134 cases (52%), membranous glomerulonephritis in 32 cases (12,4%), minimal change disease in 20 cases (7.7%). Ninety eigths files were exploitable. FSGS has male gender predominance with a sex ratio of 3. Median age of patients is 28 years (15 and 79 years). Symptomatology is dominated by oedema in 86 cases (87,7%), hypertension in 12 cases (12.2%), hematuria in 5 cases (5.1%), nephrotic proteinuria in 65 cases (66,3%) and no nephrotic proteinuria in 33 cases (33.6%), renal failure in 25 cases (25%)and leucocyturia in 18 cases (18%). FSGS involving more than 50% of glomeruli is encountered in 41 cases (42%), severe interstitial fibrosis is associated in 26 cases. Different pathological aspects are: classical FSGS in 88 cases (88.7%), FSGS " collapsing" in 7 cases (7.1%), FSG "tip-lesion" in one case, FSGS associated to membranous glomerulosclerosis in 2 cases and to diabetic glomerulosclerosis in one case. FSGS is primitive in 88 cases (89,8%) and secondary in 10 cases (10.2%). FSGS is the most common primitive glomerulopathy in Dakar. Nephrotic syndrome is the main manifestation of this disease. Collapsing FSGS is not correlated with the HIV Infection.

Lupus nephritis in Senegal: a study of 42 cases.

Renal involvement determines the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aims of this study were to assess the clinical, laboratory and therapeutic aspects of lupus nephritis (LN) in Senegal in order to improve its management. We included all patients presenting with SLE followed-up in the Internal Medicine and Dermatology Clinics of the Aristide Le Dantec University Teaching Hospital of Dakar, from January 1993 to December 2002. Patients with SLE without evidence of LN (defined by proteinuria more than 0.5 g/24 hours and/or hematuria) were excluded. A total of 74 patients with a diagnosis of SLE were studied, 42 of whom (56.75%) had features of LN. Their mean age was 29.6 years and male-female ratio was 0.13. The nephrotic syndrome was seen in 45.23% of the cases and renal insufficiency in 37.71%. Renal biopsy was performed in 52.38% of the cases, which showed predominantly WHO classes IV and V lesions. The main treatment modality employed was corticosteroids, while immunosuppressive drugs in addition were used in 35.71% of the patients. The short-term prognosis was favorable but in the middle-term, many patients were lost to follow-up. We conclude that early diagnosis by systematic urine screening, good patient information, percutaneous renal biopsy and use of appropriate immunosuppressive therapy will help improving the prognosis of LN in Senegal.

[Monoclonal gammapathy of undetermined significance and autoimmune disease: description of three cases in Senegal]. / Gammapathies monoclonales de signification indéterminée et maladies auto-immunes: étude de trois observations sénégalaises.

Monoclonal gammapathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) has rarely been reported in African literature. The purpose of this article is to describe 3 cases of MGUS observed in women aged 63, 54, and 44 years in Senegal. All three patients had previously documented autoimmune disease, i.e., auto-immune thrombopenia, multiple auto-immune disease (comprising Sjögren's syndrome, polymyositis and vitiligo), and Sjögren's syndrome. Diagnosis of MGUS was made thanks to routine protein electrophoresis that demonstrated a monoclonal peak in the gammaglobulin area in all patients. Serum protein binding showed the IgG lambda subtype in one case and IgG kappa subtype in two cases. Medullogram findings were unremarkable with nondystrophic plasma cell rates ranging from 1 to 4%. Bisphophonate therapy was undertaken along with the recommended treatments for the associated autoimmune diseases, i.e., prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate. Treatment was successful in all three patients with stabilization of the associated diseases and of the monoclonal peak on subsequent electrophoresis. As of this writing, the mean duration of follow-up was 3 years. MGUS that has been uncommon in the African hospital setting should be screened for in all older patients or in patients presenting infection (especially due to virus) or autoimmune disease (as in the three cases presented herein). More systematic use of serum protein electrophoresis should reveal an increased incidence of MGUS. Diagnosis of MGUS requires regular clinical and laboratory surveillance due to the risk for complications of malignant hemopathies, especially multiple myeloma.